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GM Powertrain Plant In Romulus Evacuated

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ROMULUS (WWJ) - The General Motors Powertrain Plant in Romulus was evacuated Friday morning after a man brought a gun inside the building and threatened to harm himself.

Sgt. Corey Sadler said the plant, located on Ecorse Road just east of I-275, was evacuated around 6:15 a.m.

Officers arrived and were eventually able to persuade the man to give up the gun after several intense moments of negotiation. Romulus Police Captain Joshua Montie said the man was apparently distraught over issues at work.

“We were able to isolate him into a corner of the building as Powertrain was implementing their evacuation procedures. One of our officers was able to make contact with the subject, who is now in police custody,” he said.

The weapon was not discharged and no one was injured.

The man, who was not identified, was transported to nearby psychiatric hospital. Sadler said at this point, no charges are expected.

Workers were allowed back inside the plant about an hour after they were evacuated.

Sadler said further investigation revealed the weapon was a starter pistol, which looks like a real .22 caliber gun but can only fire blanks. Starter pistols are often used at the start of a track race or at competitive swimming meets.